Hinged closure



NOV. 24, 1953 DQLA-R 2,660,329

HINGED CLOSURE Filed Margh 20, 1951 3nventor fJwar-J Dolar AL? attorney Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STATE TENT OFFICE HINGED CLOSURE Edward Dolar, Berwyn, 111.

Application March 20, 1951, Serial No. 216,547

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel means for holding a cover in closed position on a container and more particularly to a cam means for holding a cover in closed position on a container.

At the present time in most covers for containers a coil spring is utilized to hold the cover over the open end of the container. This coil spring is usually circumposed about the axis pivotally connecting the cover to the container. The free ends of a coil spring of this type frequently jump out of place and result in the spring exerting absolutely no force at all. Thus, the cover will not stay on the open end of the container. From the foregoing it will be seen that coil springs are unsatisfactory for holding a cover in closed position on a container.

An object of the present invention is to pro vide a novel means for holding a cover in closed position on a container;

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for holding a cover in closed position on a container in which no springs are used.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cam means for holding a cover in closed position on a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for connecting a cover to a container which is of a very simple construction and having a minimum number of parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for connecting a cover to a container which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

For a full and complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the cam means of the present invention shown holding a cover in closed position on a container.

Figure 2 is a back elevational view of the cam means of the present invention'shown holding a cover in closed position on a container. 7

Figure 3 is a back elevational view showing a part of the novel cam means of the present in vention assembled on a container, the cover and parts associated therewith being removed; and

Figure 4 is a bottom View or" the cover and the cam means associated therewith. ,v

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein the same reference characters are used through- 2 out the several views to designate the same or similar parts, the numeral 1 designates a container fabricated of glass or other suitable material and having one end open and the other end closed. The open end of the containerl has a neck which is integrally secured to the container l, the neck not being shown in the drawing. The neck is provided with a plurality of threads ,on its outer face.

A cap 2 fabricated of metal, Bakelite or other suitable material is positioned on the open end of the container l. The cap 2 comprises a top 3 having a plurality of perforations therein, the perforations in the top 3 not being shown in the drawing; Extending around the periphery of the top 3 is a flange 4 which projects away from the top 3 of the cap 2'. The flange 4 of the cap 2 has a plurality of internal threads on its inner face which are in threaded engagement with the threads on the outer face of the neck when the cap 2 is positioned on the container I, the internal threads on the cap 2 not being shown in the drawing. The container I is adapted tobe used as a condiment holder and is adapted to contain such condiments as salt or pepper.

Proceeding to the novel feature in applicants invention the outer face of the circular flange 4 of the cap 2 has a groove 5 which extends therearound. Surrounding the cap 2 and adapted to seat in the groove 5 is a resilient member or band 6 fabricated of metal or other suitable material which has ends 1 and 8 in spaced relation with respect to each other. A first extension 9 fabricated of metal or other suitable material has one end is which is arranged in end to end relation with respect to the end 1 of the resilient member or band 6, the first extension 9 being integrally secured to the resilient member or band B, and a second extension 1 l fabricated of metal or other suitable material has one end l2 which is arranged in end to end relation with respect to the end 8 of the resilent member or band 6, the sec ond extension ll being integrally secured to the resilient member or band 6. The first extension 9 and the second extension H are arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and project away from the flange 6 of the cap 2.

A first leg is fabricated of metal or other suitable material has one end Id which is arranged in end to end relation with respect to the other end 15 of the first extension 9 and is integrally secured to the first extension 9. A second leg I5 fabricated of metal or other suitable material has one end ll which is arranged in end to end relation with respect to the other end l8 of the second extension II and is integrally secured to the second extension II. The first leg 13 and the second leg 16 are arranged in diverging or flared relation with respect to each other, the ends l4 and H being the converging ends and the other ends I9 and 26 being the diverging ends. Further, the first leg l3 and the second leg l5 extend at right angles from the first extension 9 and the second extension l I.

A first pin 2 I; is arranged in end to endrelation with respect to the end is of the first leg l3 and is positioned at right angles with respect to the first leg l3 and is integrally secured thereto. A second pin '22 is arranged in end to end relation with respect to the end of the second leg l6 and is positioned at right angles with respect to the second leg It and is integrally securedto-the second leg (5. The first pin 2! and the second pin 22 are arranged in longitudinal aligned spaced relation with respect to each other and project away from each other.

An auxiliary cover 23 fabricated of metal or other. suitable material carries a finger tab; 24 at one edge of its peripherywhich is,integrally secured to the auxiliary cover 23, A third ex,- tension 25 fabricated of metal or other suitable material has one end integrally secured to the edge of the periphery of the auxiliary cover 23 opposite the finger tab 2d, and; the third extension 25: projects away from the auxiliary cover 23 but lies ingthe same plane as the auxiliary cover 23; A lever 28 hasone end which is arranged in endto end relation with respect to the other end of the third extension 25 and is integrally secured thereto the lever-2e :being positioned at right angles with respect to the auxiliary cover 23 and the third extension 25; The lever 26: tapers from said one end toward its other end. A slot 21-extends inwardly from said other endof the lever 25 and terminates at a point spaced fromsaid one endoi the lever 26.

The longitudinal centerline of; the third extension 25 and the lever 26 is-stamped or protruded; outwardly to form a rib 28-. This rib 2B terminates in communicationwiththe; slot 21. The rib 28 providesameans of'strengtheningand reinforcing the third extension 25 and thelever 26, thethirdextension 2t and the lever 26 being made of a rather thin material. A first flange 29 fabric ated of metal or other suitable material isintegrally'secured' to one side of the lever 26 and a second flange 3t fabricated: of metal or other suitable material is integrally secured to the other side of the lever '26 The first, flange 29 and the second flange so; both project away fromone face of the lever 25 and the first flange 29 and the second flange 3%! are bent toward each other, Since the; lever 25 tapers from said one end thereof toward said other end, thereof, this results in the first flange; 29 and the second flange at being arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to each other.

The first flange 29' and the second flange 36 are provided with aligned openings 3| and 32 respectively, the opening 3| being adapted to receive the first pin 2! and the opening 32 being adapted to receive the second pin 22. It is to be emphasized that the first leg 13, the second leg 16, the third extension 25, the lever 26, the first flange 29, and the second flange 3!} should all possess a certain degree of resiliency.

Mode of operation Assuming the device to be completely disassembled, the cap 2is first threaded onto theneclc of the container 5. Next, the resilient member or band 8 is positioned in the groove 5. Then, the first pin 2! is inserted in the opening 3| of the flange '29 and the second pin 22 is inserted in the opening 32 of the flange 30. Assuming the auxiliary cover 23 to be out of closed position with respect to the top 3 of the cap 2, the auxiliary cover 23 is rotated about the first pin 2i and the second pin 22. As the rotation continues the first flange 29 and the second flange 3Q engage the first leg I3 and the second leg [6 respectively urging the first leg 13 and the second leg It toward each other. As the rotation of the auxiliary cover 23 is further continued, the converging relation of the first flange 29 and the second flange 30 with respect to each other causes a gradual increasing force to be exerted on the first leg [3 and the second leg l6.

Upon-the auxiliary cover 23 being placed upon the top 3 of the cap 2 the first flange 29 will be in. parallel relation with the first leg 1 3 and: the secondflangeiiiwill be in parallel relation with the second leg 15. Further,- upon the auxiliary cover 23 -being placedupon the top 3, of the cap 2, thefirst leg I3 will seat in a corner 33; at the intersection of thefirst flange. 2S and thelever 26, andthe second leg 15- will seat in a corner 34: at the intersectionof the-second flange 3Gand the-lever 26. It will, thus be seen that thereisle, cam action between the first leg i3 the second leg I5, thelever 26, the first. flange 29, and the second flange 39 which will snugly and firmly hold the auxiliary cover, 23, upon, the top 3.0f-the cap 2so that no condiment such as salt, orpepper can. escape throughthe. perforations in the top 3 of the cap 2.

The above description hereinbefore set forth is merely the best mode ofpracticing the present invention, as there are many modifications and slight deviations still within the spirit andscope ofthe present invention which are too numerous to mention. It is the applicants intention to include every modification and deviation of the present invention that iswithin the length,

breadth, and scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. Means for connecting aover to a. container havingone end open, saidcover being adaptedto bepositioned over said open end of said container, said means comprising a pair of legs arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to eachother and one of said legs having its converging end secured to said container-adjacent the open end thereof and the other of said legs having its converging end secured to said container adjacent the open end thereof, a lever having one end secured to said cover, and having its other end pivotally connected tothe otherends of said pair of legs, a first flange positioned, on one side of said lever and secured thereto, and a second flange arranged in converging-spaced relation with respect to said first flange and positioned on the other side of said lever and secured thereto, the converging ends of saidfirst flange and said second flange being positioned adjacent the converging ends of said pair of legs when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said container, said flanges being bent toward one another whereby said first flange frictionally engages said one of said pair of legs and said second flange frictionally engages said other of said pair of legs when said cover is in closed position on said open end of said container.

2. Means for connecting a cover to a container having one end open, said cover being adapted to be positioned over said open end of said container, said means comprising a pair of legs arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to each other and one of said legs having its converging end secured to said container adjacent said open end thereof, and the other of said legs having its converging end secured to said container adjacent said open end thereof, a lever having one end secured to said cover, said lever being provided with a slot extending inwardly from the other end thereof, said other end of said lever being pivotally connected to the other ends of said pair of legs, a first flange positioned on one side of said lever and secured thereto, and a second flange arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to said first flange and positioned on the other side of said lever and secured thereto, the converging ends of said first flange and said second flange being positioned adjacent the converging ends of said legs when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said container, said flanges being bent toward one another whereby said first flange frictionally engages said one of said legs and said second flange frictionally engages said other of said legs when said cover is in closed position on said open end of said container.

3. In a container having one end open and being provided with a groove extending around the outer face thereof adjacent the open end thereof and a cover positioned on said open end of said container, a band positioned in said groove and having its ends spaced from each other, a pair of legs arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to each other and one of said legs having its converging end secured to one end of said band and the other of said legs having its converging end secured to the other end of said band, a lever arranged at right angles with respect to said cover and having one end secured to the periphery of said cover, the other end of said lever being pivotally connected to the other ends of said pair of legs, a first flange positioned on one side of said lever and secured thereto, and a second flange arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to said first flange and positioned on the other side of said lever and secured thereto. said first and second flan es being bent toward each other and said first flange embracin said one of said legs and said second flange embracing said other of said less when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said contain r, said flanges and said legs extending in the same longitudinal direction when said cover is in closed position, the converging ends of first flange and said second flange being positioned adiacent the converging ends of said pair of legs when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said container.

4. In a container having one end open and being provided with a roove extending around the outer face thereof adiacent the open end thereof and a cover positioned on said open end of said container, a band positioned in said groove and having its ends spaced from each other, a pair of legs arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to each other and one of said legs having its converging end secured to one end of said band and the other of said legs having its converging end secured to the other end of said band, a lever arranged at right angles with respect to said cover and having one end secured to the periphery of said cover, said lever bein provided with a slot extending inwardly from the other end thereof, said other end of said lever being pivotally connected to the other ends of said pair of legs, a first flange positioned on one side of said lever and secured thereto, and a second flange arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to said first flange and positioned on the other side of said lever and secured thereto, said first and second flanges being bent toward each other and said first flange embracing said one of said legs and said second flange embracing said other of said legs when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said container, said flanges and said legs extending in the same longitudinal direction when said cover is in closed position, the converging ends of said first flange and said second flange being positioned adjacent the converging end of said pair of legs when said cover is in closed position on said open end of said container.

5. In a container having one end open and being provided with a groove extending around the outer face thereof adjacent said open end thereof and a cover positioned on said open end of said container, a band positioned in said groove and having its ends spaced from each other, a first extension having one end secured to one end of said band, a second extension arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to said first extension and having one end secured to the other end of said band, said first extension and said second extension projecting away from said container, a pair of legs arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to each other and one of said legs having its converging end secured to the other end of said first extension and the other of said legs having its converging end secured to the other end of said second extension, a third extension having one end secured to the periphery of said cover, a lever arranged at right angles with respect to said cover and said third extension and having one end secured to the other end of said third extension, said lever being provided with a slot extending inwardly from the other end thereof, said other end of said lever being pivotally connected to the other ends of said pair of legs, a first flange positioned on one side of said lever and secured thereto, a second flange arranged in converging spaced relation with respect to said first flange and positioned on the other side of said lever and secured thereto, said first and second flanges being bent toward each other, said flanges and said legs extending in the same longitudinal direction when said cover is in closed position, the converging ends of said first flange and said second flange being positioned adjacent the converging ends of said pair of legs and said first flange embracing said one of said pair of legs and said second flange embracing said other of said pair of legs when said cover is in closed position over said open end of said container.

EDWARD DOLAR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,617,202 Dowling Feb. 8, 1927 1,629,747 stathes et a1 May 24, 1927 1,815,319 Lawrence July 21, 1931 1,929,498 King Oct. 10, 1933 1,930,841 Miniere Oct. 17, 1933 

